Parentstock//Management Guide
Feather Sexing Guide Sexing is done by examining the rows of primary and covert feathers on the outspread wing as illustrated. The wing should be viewed from the top and good lighting is required for those performing this task. The length of the primaries as compared to
the coverts is more important than the total length of the feathers when determining the sex of the chick. Provided correct mating, chicks from feathersex parent stock can easily be sexed by inspection of their wing feathers.
Males
Females
Females are fast feathering. In the pullet chick, primaries (2nd row of feathers) are always longer than coverts (1st row of feathers). Primaries are longer than coverts.
How to Hold Chicks
Males are slow feathering. In cockerel chicks, primaries (2nd row of feathers) are shorter than or of the same length as coverts (1st row of feathers).
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The wing should be examined from the top surface, holding the chick, feet down, with the head toward the operator. Fan the wing between thumb and index finger to ease differentiation of feather rows.